Monitoring/Entertainment System for a Child&#39;s Seat

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a monitoring and/or entertainment system ( 1 ), especially for a child seat ( 10 ), having at least one electronic assembly ( 4   a,    4   b,    4   c,    4   d ) for displaying and/or recording images, films or film sequences, and having a moulded body ( 2 ) in which the at least one electronic assembly ( 4   a,    4   b,    4   c,    4   d ) is mounted and held. In order that the monitoring/entertainment system ( 1 ) can be used for a child seat ( 10 ) when the seat shell ( 12 ) of the child seat ( 10 ) is aligned in the direction opposite to the direction of travel, according to the invention the moulded body ( 2 ) has at least one fixing element ( 3 ) which is arranged to form a force-based connection to the base frame ( 11 ) of the child seat ( 10 ), wherein when the moulded body ( 2 ) is in the state in which it is fixed to the base frame ( 11 ) of the child seat ( 10 ) the front side ( 2   a ) of the moulded body ( 2 ) and the electronic assembly ( 4   a,    4   b,    4   c,    4   d ) mounted in the moulded body ( 2 ) face towards the seat shell ( 12 ) of the child seat ( 10 ).

The present invention relates to a monitoring and/or entertainmentsystem, especially for a child seat, for monitoring and/or entertaininga child sitting in a child seat.

Vehicle seats having an integrated visual display unit are known fromthe prior art. For example, the specification DE 201 19 410 U1 disclosesa vehicle seat having a headrest releasably fixable to a backrest, witha visual display unit being integrated in the headrest. In thatarrangement the headrest has a mounting space in which the visualdisplay unit, in the mounted state, is fixed between the headrest andthe backrest by an interlocking and force-based connection. Thissolution known from the prior art is suitable for providing occupants ofa motor vehicle with the opportunity of amusing or occupying themselvesor of obtaining information, for example during relatively longjourneys.

The known solution, however, requires that a headrest provided asstandard on the vehicle seat first be removed from the vehicle seat inorder that it can be replaced by the headrest having the integratedvisual display unit. In the case of vehicle seats in which the headrestis not releasably fixed, such conversion to a headrest having anintegrated visual display unit can be carried out only with a great dealof effort, if it can be carried out at all. Furthermore, the knownentertainment system is arranged solely to entertain vehicle occupantssitting in the rear seat of the vehicle.

The known entertainment system can be used for entertaining a childsitting in a child seat, if it can be used for that purpose at all, onlywith limitations. That is particularly the case when the seat shell ofthe child seat is aligned in the direction opposite to the direction oftravel of the vehicle, because in that case the child sitting in thechild seat has its back to the visual display unit integrated in theheadrest.

A similar solution is known from the specification DE 295 18 369 U1. Theentertainment system disclosed in that prior art, however, is integratedin a moulded body which is constructed in such a way that it can beslipped over the standard headrest of a vehicle seat. Although, usingthat known solution, it is possible for various types of standardheadrests to undergo subsequent conversion, even when those headrestsare not removable from the vehicle seat, it is likewise not possible touse the known entertainment system in a child seat for entertaining achild sitting in the child seat.

Accordingly, the problem underlying the present invention is to providea monitoring and/or entertainment system (referred to as amonitoring/entertainment system hereinbelow) which is suitable for achild sitting in a child seat when the seat shell of the child seat isaligned in the direction opposite to the direction of travel.

Starting on that basis, the present invention is based on the problem ofdefining such a monitoring and entertainment system, it also being madepossible to effect simple retrofitting of monitoring and entertainmentsystems in child seats.

That problem is solved by the features of claim 1. In detail, themonitoring/entertainment system according to the invention has at leastone electronic assembly for displaying and/or recording images, films orfilm sequences, that electronic assembly forming the core of themonitoring/entertainment system. Also provided is a moulded body inwhich the at least one electronic assembly is mounted and held. Themoulded body has at least one fixing element, preferably formedintegrally with the moulded body, which fixing element is arranged toform a force-based connection to a base frame of the child seat in orderthus to fix the monitoring/entertainment system to the base frame of thechild seat. In order that a child sitting in the child seat can bemonitored and/or entertained when the seat shell of the child seat isaligned in the direction opposite to the direction of travel, when themoulded body is in the state in which it is fixed to the base frame ofthe child seat the front side of the moulded body and the at least oneelectronic assembly mounted in the moulded body face towards the seatshell of the child seat.

The advantages of the solution according to the invention are clearlyevident: firstly the electronic assembly, which can have, for example, aflat display screen or the like, is now integrated in a moulded bodywhich merely needs to be fixed to the base frame of the child seat. Inthat respect, retrofitting to almost any child seat having a suitablebase frame can be carried out at any time in order to equip the childseat with the monitoring and/or entertainment functions.

The monitoring/entertainment system as defined in claim 1 is alsodistinguished by the fact that, to entertain the child sitting in thechild seat, the moulded body can be fixed to the child seat in such away that the front side of the moulded body and, for example, the flatdisplay screen mounted in the moulded body can be attached to the baseframe of the child seat so that the child can be entertained even whenthe seat shell of the child seat is aligned in the direction opposite tothe direction of travel.

Preferred developments of the solution according to the invention aredefined in the subsidiary claims.

For example, an especially preferred realization of the electronicassembly has at least one camera system, a DVD player, a video-playingsystem, an MP4 player, direct interne access or some other suchmedia-playing or media-recording system, it being conceivable for theelectronic assembly to have a single component or a combination of theabove-mentioned components. The provision of a camera system that isintegrated in the moulded body of the monitoring/entertainment systemmakes it possible to monitor, for example, a small child sleeping in thechild seat. That is particularly advantageous when, for example, thechild seat is arranged in the vehicle in such a way that it is notpossible to see into the child seat, as is the case, for example, whenthe child seat is located on the rear seat of the vehicle and the seatshell of the child seat is aligned in the direction opposite to thedirection of travel.

On the other hand, in addition to or alternatively to the camera systemit would be conceivable to provide as the electronic assembly amedia-playing system that provides a small child sitting in the childseat with the opportunity of being entertained or amused during thejourney. Particularly suitable for this purpose is a visual display unitwhich is, for example, a television receiver, a video player or DVDplayer or a computer.

Advantageously, the electronic assembly is powered by the in-vehiclepower supply. The supply line necessary for that purpose can, forexample, be equipped with an adapter plug suitable for connection to thecigarette lighter provided as standard.

In respect of the camera system it should be noted that it communicates,for example by means of a wired connection or wirelessly, with a monitorwhich is arranged so as to be easily viewable by the driver or passengerin the vehicle. As a possible monitoring monitor there can be used, forexample, the display of a navigation system or the rear-view mirror ofthe vehicle.

For the solution according to the invention it is especially preferablefor the moulded body to be constructed in such a way that it ismountable in or on the base frame of the child seat, especially by meansof an interlocking connection. This is desirable on the one hand foraesthetic reasons, but on the other hand mounting themonitoring/entertainment system in the child seat base support by meansof an interlocking connection provides increased safety, because thereare no edges or similar projections protruding into the passengercompartment on which the child or the occupants of the vehicle caninjure themselves. Sufficient protection of the passengers is therebyensured. In that respect, comprehensive impact protection, in particularfor a small child sitting in front of the monitoring/entertainmentsystem, is also provided.

Advantageously, the at least one fixing element provided on the mouldedbody for fixing the monitoring/entertainment system by means of aforce-based connection to the base frame of the child seat isconstructed so as also to facilitate adjustment of the height of thearrangement of the moulded body on the base frame of the child seat. Inparticular, the at least one fixing element should be constructed insuch a way that, on the one hand, a force-based connection and, on theother hand, also an interlocking connection to the base frame of thechild seat is formed, and that is the case even when the height of themonitoring/entertainment system has to be adjusted for adaptationpurposes. As a result, firstly in principle sufficient protection can beensured, particularly for the child sitting in the child seat, butsecondly it is also ensured that the electronic assembly, which ismounted in the moulded body on the front side of the moulded body, isaligned in the optimum way for a small child sitting in the seat shellof the child seat. That is necessary, in particular, when the electronicassembly has a camera system for monitoring the child sitting in thechild seat.

In order that the usability and also the safety of the child seat withthe monitoring/entertainment system fitted is not affected, in apreferred development the moulded body is constructed in such a way thatwhen it is in the state in which it is fixed to the base frame of thechild seat there is formed between the rear side of the moulded body andthe base frame of the child seat a belt-guiding region in which afastening belt of the child seat is guided. As a result, it is thuspossible, in principle, for unimpeded guidance of the fastening belt tobe achieved, so that the child seat or the base frame of the child seatcan be secured to the vehicle seat in the customary way.

In respect of the at least one fixing element provided on the mouldedbody, that fixing element preferably has at least one fixing elementprovided on the upper side of the moulded body for engagement with asubstantially horizontally extending edge of the base frame of the childseat and/or at least one fixing element provided on one of the sides ofthe moulded body for engagement with a substantially verticallyextending edge of the base frame of the child seat. By virtue of theprovision of a plurality of such fixing elements, which are preferablyprovided on the periphery of the moulded body, themonitoring/entertainment system can be joined to the base frame of thechild seat by means of a force-based connection at a plurality ofpoints. That guarantees, in particular, secure fixing of the system tothe child seat.

The expression “edge of the base frame” used herein is to be understoodas meaning any component which, for example, is provided as standard onthe base frame of the child seat and allows engagement with a fixingelement arranged on the moulded body. For example, a reinforcing elementprovided on the base frame may come into consideration as the edge ofthe base frame. On the other hand, it is also possible for the edge ofthe base frame to be a bulbous projection provided on the peripheralregion of the base frame. Such bulbous projections are generallyprovided especially when the base frame of the child seat is ashell-like moulded element.

In order to facilitate engagement of the fixing element provided on themoulded body of the monitoring/entertainment system, the fixing elementhas suitable profiling in order to be able to engage in a correspondinganchoring element constructed so as to be complementary thereto on thebase frame of the child seat. Various solutions come into considerationas possible profiling. For example, it would be conceivable to provide acramp-like region, that is to say a correspondingly angled connectingelement.

On the other hand, another possibility is a snap connection in which theresilience of the material of the fixing element provided on the mouldedbody is exploited for the connection to an anchoring element constructedso as to be complementary thereto on the base frame of the child seat.In the case of such a snap connection, the fixing element can beresiliently constructed as a wing member. It will be understood that itwould also be conceivable, however, to use as a resilient wing memberthe anchoring element provided on the base frame of the child seat.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the fixing element/anchoringelement arrangement can be in the form of a pin/tail arrangement, suchas, for example, in the form of a dovetail joint or the like.

In principle, however, the at least one fixing element of the mouldedbody should be constructed so as to allow a force-based connection tothe base frame of the child seat. Such a force-based connection isformed by the application of force which is produced by a suitable bias.The force-based connection holds together purely as a result of thestatic friction. On the other hand, the fixing element should bearranged also to form an interlocking connection to the base frame ofthe child seat. An interlocking connection is formed by the engagementone in another of at least two connection partners, such as, forexample, a fixing element provided on the moulded body and an anchoringelement provided on the base frame of the child seat. In the case ofinterlocking connection, the forces caused by the working load aretransmitted normally, that is to say at a right angle to the faces ofthe two connection partners. As a result of the mechanical connection,the connection partners cannot be disengaged even without forcetransmission or when force transmission is interrupted. Suitable fixingelements are known from the prior art and are not described in detailherein.

In order that the monitoring/entertainment system according to theinvention can be used with as many different kinds of child seat aspossible, without it being necessary to adapt the base frame of thechild seat in question accordingly, the at least one fixing elementprovided on the moulded body of the monitoring/entertainment system isarranged in such a way that it preferably at least partially surroundsthe head region of the base frame, that is to say the upper portion ofthe base frame. Secure fixing of the monitoring/entertainment system tothe base frame of the child seat is thus ensured, and that is the casealmost independently of the kind of child seat.

As already indicated, it is preferable that the at least one fixingelement provided on the moulded body be arranged to form a releasableconnection, especially a manually releasable connection, to the baseframe of the child seat, so that the monitoring/entertainment system iseasily removable from the base frame of the child seat. That isparticularly advantageous when the monitoring/entertainment system is tobe fixed to the child seat only temporarily. On the other hand, theprovision of a releasable connection between the moulded body of themonitoring/entertainment system and the child seat offers theadvantageous possibility of easy and uncomplicated retrofitting of sucha system to a child seat, without a special tool being required for thatpurpose. Possible realizations of the fixing elements that have areleasable connection function have been indicated briefly above and areknown in principle from the prior art. In particular, however, a snapconnection is suitable.

In order that the monitoring/entertainment system according to theinvention is suitable for use not just for the case of monitoring and/orentertaining a child sitting in the child seat when the seat shell ofthe child seat is aligned in the direction opposite to the direction oftravel, in an especially preferred development of the system accordingto the invention the at least one fixing element provided on the mouldedbody is also arranged in such a way that the monitoring/entertainmentsystem can be fitted to a headrest of a vehicle seat, wherein when themoulded body is in the state in which it is fixed to the headrest of thevehicle seat the front side of the moulded body and the at least oneelectronic assembly mounted in the moulded body then face towards theseat shell of the child seat when the seat shell of the child seat isaligned in the direction of travel.

That preferred development of the solution according to the inventionincreases, in particular, the range of use of themonitoring/entertainment system in an extraordinary way. One the onehand the system is suitable for fixing to the base frame of the childseat, so that the child sitting in the child seat can be monitoredand/or entertained even when the seat shell of the child seat is alignedin the direction opposite to the direction of travel, but on the otherhand that very same system can also be used to monitor and/or entertainthe child when the seat shell of the child seat is aligned in thedirection of travel. For that purpose it is merely necessary for themoulded body of the monitoring/entertainment system, which is preferablyreleasably fixed to the base frame of the child seat, to be releasedfrom the base frame of the child seat and fitted to the headrest of thevehicle seat. When so doing, it would be conceivable to use the samefixing elements of the moulded body both for fixing to the base frame ofthe child seat and for fixing to the headrest of the vehicle seat.

As connecting element for this purpose there comes into considerationespecially a cramp-like or clip-like connecting member which is joinedby its first end to the moulded body and which has, for example, curvedor angled shaping, so that its second end can be brought releasably intoengagement with the support structure in question (the base frame of thechild seat or the headrest of the vehicle seat).

In an especially preferred realization of the connecting element, whichcan be brought into engagement on the one hand with the base frame ofthe child seat and on the other hand with the headrest of the vehicleseat, the connecting element has a cramp-like or clip-like connectingmember which is in turn in the form of a resilient wing member, thesecond end of the wing member being so constructed, especially like ahook, that it is able to form a releasable snap connection to thesupport structure in question.

Alternatively or additionally thereto, it would be conceivable for theat least one fixing element to be constructed in such a way that, onbeing fixed to the headrest of the vehicle seat, the moulded bodysurrounds the headrest in a certain way so that the moulded body can beat least partially slipped over the headrest. If nothing else, theresult is that the use of the monitoring/entertainment system accordingto the invention is possible in the case of almost any type of headrest,without it being necessary to effect a complete, time-consuming exchangeof the headrests. The solution according to the invention is not limitedto vehicle seats in which the headrest is constructed separately fromthe seat. On the contrary, the system according to the invention is alsosuitable for use in vehicle seats in which the headrest is formedintegrally with the entire vehicle seat.

In a preferred realization of the last-mentioned embodiments, inaddition to the at least one fixing element provided on the moulded bodyof the monitoring/entertainment system there are provided further fixingmeans which are adjustable especially in respect of different types ofvehicle seat headrest and/or types of child seat base support. Apossible realization thereof that would come into consideration is anadditional fixing means based on a hook-and-loop closure. Thehook-and-loop closure is a textile closure means which can be undonealmost as often as desired, which consists, for example, of two nylonstrips, one of which has small barbs and the other of which has loops.It is known that such hook-and-loop closures, when in thepressed-together state, provide a secure fastening in addition to thefastening provided by the fixing elements.

Preferred embodiments of the monitoring/entertainment system accordingto the invention are described in detail below with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of themonitoring/entertainment system according to the invention in the statein which it is fixed to the base support of a child seat;

FIG. 2 a, b are detail views of the monitoring/entertainment systemshown in FIG. 1 at the upper head region of the child seat base supportto illustrate the fitting of the monitoring/entertainment system to thebase support of the child seat;

FIG. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of themonitoring/entertainment system according to the invention for fixing tothe base support of the child seat;

FIG. 4 shows the monitoring/entertainment system in accordance with thesecond preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in the state in which it isfixed to the base support of the child seat and in longitudinal section;

FIG. 5 a-5 d show possible modifications of the monitoring/entertainmentsystem in accordance with the second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS.3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a child seat in which themonitoring/entertainment system according to FIG. 4 has been mounted inthe upper head region of the base frame; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the monitoring/entertainment systemshown in FIGS. 3 to 6 in the state in which it is mounted on theheadrest of the vehicle seat.

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of themonitoring/entertainment system 1 according to the invention in thestate in which it is fixed to a base frame 11 of a child seat 10. In theembodiment shown, the monitoring/entertainment system 1 has aselectronic assembly a DVD-playing or video-playing system 4 b, 4 c, theflat display screen of which can be seen especially in FIG. 1. Thatmedia-playing system 4 b, 4 c is integrated in a moulded body 2. Themoulded body 2 itself has fixing elements (not shown explicitly inFIG. 1) which are arranged to form a force-based connection between themoulded body 2 and the base frame 11 of the child seat 10 in order thusto fix the monitoring/entertainment system 1 to the base frame 11 of thechild seat 10.

FIG. 1 shows a situation in which the seat shell 12 of the child seat 10is aligned in the direction opposite to the intended direction oftravel. In detail, when the moulded body 2 is in the state in which itis fixed to the base frame 11 of the child seat 10 the front side 2 a ofthe moulded body 2 and the flat display screen 4 b, 4 c mounted in themoulded body 2 face towards the seat shell 12 of the child seat 10.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show detail views of the head region of the base frame11 shown in FIG. 1. In detail, it is made clear therein how themonitoring/entertainment system 1 in accordance with the first preferredembodiment of the present invention can be fixed to the base frame 11 ofthe child seat 10.

As shown, the moulded body has a fixing element 3 formed integrally withthe moulded body 2, which fixing element can be brought into engagementwith an anchoring element 17 constructed so as to be complementarythereto on the base frame 11 of the child seat 10 in order to fomi aninterlocking and force-based connection of the moulded body 2 to thebase frame 11 of the child seat 10, the fixing element 3 and theanchoring element 17 being constructed so that they engage one inanother in order to fix the monitoring/entertainment system 1 to thehead region of the child seat base frame 11. It can be seen in FIG. 2 athat for that purpose, for example, an appropriately configured tongueand groove arrangement or dovetail arrangement is possible.

FIG. 2 b shows a state in which the monitoring/entertainment system 1has been removed from the head region of the base frame 11 of the childseat and a fascia 30 has been inserted in place of themonitoring/entertainment system 1. With the exception of the electronicassembly 4 b, 4 c, which is not provided in the case of the fascia 30,the fascia 30 corresponds to the system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 a.That is also the case, in particular, in respect of the construction ofa moulded body and in respect of the construction of correspondingfixing elements.

FIG. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of themonitoring/entertainment system 1 according to the invention in a stateimmediately before the system 1 is fitted to the base frame 11 of thechild seat 10 (not shown explicitly in FIG. 3). Themonitoring/entertainment system 1 in accordance with the secondpreferred embodiment again has a moulded body 2 and an electronicassembly 4 for displaying and/or recording images, films or filmsequences. As also in the case of the first preferred embodimentaccording to FIGS. 1 and 2, this electronic assembly 4 is mounted andheld in the moulded body 2. Furthermore, on the moulded body 2 there areprovided fixing elements 3, preferably formed integrally with themoulded body 2, which are arranged to form a force-based andinterlocking connection between the moulded body 2 and the base frame 11of the child seat. In detail, for that purpose there is provided on theupper side 2 c of the moulded body 2 a fixing element 3 c for engagementwith a substantially horizontally extending edge 15 of the base frame 11of the child seat 10 and on each of the sides 2 d of the moulded body 2there is provided a fixing element 3 d for engagement with asubstantially vertically extending edge 16 of the base frame 11 of thechild seat 10. The fixing elements 3 c, 3 d in question havecorresponding profiling for engagement in the respective edges 15, 16 ofthe base frame 11 of the child seat 10, it being conceivable for thebase frame 11 to have corresponding bulbous projections 17 in which therespective fixing elements 3 c, 3 d engage in the mounted state.

It can be seen especially in FIG. 3 that the moulded element 2 with itsintegrally formed fixing elements has a slightly curved outer surface.As a result, provision is made, in particular, for impact safety. On theother hand, the slight curvature also serves to make it possible for therespective fixing elements 3 c, 3 d provided on the peripheral region 2c, 2 d of the moulded body 2 to be constructed in such a way that theyat least partially surround the head region of the base frame 11, whichalso ensures, in particular, secure fixing of themonitoring/entertainment system 1 to the base frame 11 of the child seat10.

FIG. 3 also shows that the moulded body 2 is constructed in such a waythat when it is in the state in which it is fixed to the base frame 11of the child seat 10 there is formed between the rear side 2 d of themoulded body 2 and the base frame 11 of the child seat 10 a belt-guidingregion 13 in which a fastening belt 14 of the child seat 10 is guided.By the provision of such a belt-guiding region 13, the safety andfunctioning of the child seat 10 is not affected by the installation ofthe monitoring/entertainment system 1.

FIG. 4 shows a possible alternative arrangement of the second preferredembodiment according to FIG. 3 in which a DVD player is used aselectronic assembly. As shown, the DVD is insertable into the electronicassembly from the upper side 2 c of the moulded body 2. Also shown is aflat display screen for showing images, films or film sequences.

FIG. 4, furthermore, shows, in longitudinal section, the head region ofthe base frame 11 in a state when the monitoring/entertainment system 1in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is fixed to the base frame 11. In particular, in thislongitudinal section it is possible to see the belt-guiding region 13provided between the rear side 2 b of the moulded body 2 and the baseframe 11 of the child seat 10. Furthermore, the longitudinal sectionshows how the fixing element 3 c, which is provided on the upper side 2c of the moulded body 2, is in engagement with the substantiallyhorizontally extending edge 15 of the base frame 11 of the child seat 10in the mounted state.

FIGS. 5 a to 5 d show further alternative arrangements of the secondpreferred embodiment of the monitoring/entertainment system 1 accordingto the invention according to FIGS. 3 and 4, which will be describedbriefly hereinbelow.

FIG. 5 a shows an embodiment in which solely a camera system 4 a is usedas electronic assembly. The camera system 4 a serves especially formonitoring a child sitting in the child seat (not shown).Advantageously, inside the moulded body there are provided electroniccomponents (not shown) for transmitting the images or film sequencesrecorded with the camera system 4 a by means of a wired connection orwirelessly to a monitoring monitor (likewise not shown) with the aid ofwhich, for example, the occupants sitting in the front seat of thevehicle can observe the child sitting in the child seat.

FIG. 5 b shows a perspective side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a in which a camera system 4 a is used as the electronic assembly, thereadditionally being shown the monitoring monitors 4 e on which the imagesor film sequences recorded with the camera system 4 a are displayed. Thedata transmission between the camera system 4 a and the monitoringmonitors 4 e can be wired or wireless. Such transmission methods areknown as such from the prior art and will not be described in detailherein.

FIG. 5 c shows an embodiment in which there is used as electronicassembly a media player 4 b, 4 c which is controllable by means of aremote controller 4 d, it being conceivable for the media player 4 b, 4c to be, for example, a combined television and DVD-playing system. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 5 b has the advantage that the programdisplayed can be selected using the remote controller 4 d.

FIG. 5 d shows a state in which the monitoring/entertainment system 1has been removed from the head region of the base frame 11 of the childseat and a fascia 30 has been inserted in place of themonitoring/entertainment system 1. With the exception of the electronicassembly 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, which is not provided in the case of the fascia30, the fascia 30 corresponds to the system shown in FIG. 5 a and inFIGS. 3 and 4. That is also the case, in particular, in respect of theconstruction of a moulded body and in respect of the construction ofcorresponding fixing elements.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a child seat in which themonitoring/entertainment system 1 in accordance with the secondpreferred embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 isused. It can be seen especially in FIG. 6 that the fixing elements 3provided on the moulded body 2 of the monitoring/entertainment system 1partially surround the head region of the base frame 11 of the childseat 10.

All the above-described preferred embodiments and alternativearrangements of the monitoring and/or entertainment system 1 accordingto the invention are constructed in such a way that the fixing elements3, with the base frame 11 of the child seat 10, form a releasableconnection, especially a manually releasable connection, so that themonitoring/entertainment system 1 is easily removable from the baseframe 11 of the child seat 10 without a special tool.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the monitoring/entertainment system 1 inaccordance with the second preferred embodiment described above withreference to FIGS. 3 to 6 has been removed from the base frame 11 of thechild seat 10 and fitted to a headrest 21 of a vehicle seat 20. In thatarrangement, when the moulded body 2 is in the state in which it isfixed to the headrest 21 of the vehicle seat 20 the front side 2 a ofthe moulded body 2 and the at least one electronic assembly (here amedia-playing system 4 b, 4 c) mounted in the moulded body 2 facetowards the seat shell 12 of the child seat 10, the seat shell 12 of thechild seat 10 being aligned in the direction of travel. In particular,the fixing elements 3 provided on the moulded body 2 are constructed insuch a way that fitting of the monitoring/entertainment system 1 to theheadrest 21 of the vehicle seat 20 is facilitated, a force-basedconnection between the monitoring/entertainment system 1 and theheadrest 21, i.e. the vehicle seat 20, being achieved.

In addition to the fixing elements 3 it is also possible for furtherfixing means 5 to be provided, which are only implied in FIG. 7. Thoseadditional fixing means 5 are adjustable especially in respect ofvarious types of vehicle headrest; it would be conceivable to use ahook-and-loop closure system in order thus to reinforce the fixing ofthe monitoring/entertainment system to the headrest 21 of the vehicleseat 20 still further. It would, of course, also be conceivable,however, for those additional fixing means 5 to be used also foradditional fixing of the moulded body 2 to the base frame 11 of thechild seat 10.

It should be pointed out that the implementation of the invention is notlimited to the exemplary embodiments described in FIG. 1 to 7 but alarge number of variants are also possible. In particular, the natureand arrangement of the fixing elements 3 on the moulded body 2 can bedifferent from the arrangements shown.

List of Reference Numerals

1 monitoring/entertainment system

2 moulded body

2 a front side of the moulded body

2 b rear side of the moulded body

2 c upper side of the moulded body

2 d side of the moulded body

3 fixing element

3 c fixing element on the upper side of the moulded body

3 d fixing element on the side of the moulded body

4 electronic assembly

4 a camera system (electronic assembly)

4 b, c media player (electronic assembly)

4 d remote controller

5 fixing means

10 child seat

11 base frame

12 seat shell

13 belt-guiding region

14 fastening belt

15 horizontal edge of the base frame

16 vertical edge of the base frame

17 bulbous projection, anchoring groove

20 vehicle seat

21 headrest

30 fascia

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A monitoring/entertainment system for a child seator other location, said monitoring/entertainment system being operativeto perform a function selected from the group consisting of monitoring achild sitting in a child seat, entertaining a child sitting in a childseat, and monitoring and entertaining a child sitting in a child seat,said system comprising: at least one electronic assembly operative toperform a function selected from the group consisting of displayingimages, films or film sequences, recording images, films or filmsequences, and displaying and recording images, films or film sequences;and a body in which the at least one electronic assembly is mounted andheld, said body having at least one fixing element adapted to form aforce-based connection to a base frame of the child seat in order thusto fix the monitoring/entertainment system to the base frame of thechild seat, wherein when the body is fixed to the base frame of thechild seat, a front side of the body and the at least one electronicassembly mounted in the body face towards a seat shell of the child seatwhen the seat shell of the child seat faces towards the directionopposite to the direction of travel, the body positioned at a headregion of the base frame of the child seat.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein said at least one fixing element is formed integrally with saidbody.
 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said electronicassembly includes a system selected from the group consisting of acamera system, a DVD-playing system, a video system, an MP4 player,direct internet access, a media-playing system, and a recording system.15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the body is constructed insuch a way so as to be mountable interlockingly in or on the base frameof the child seat.
 16. The system according to claim 12, wherein thebody is constructed in such a way that when the body is fixed to thebase frame of the child seat, there is formed between a rear side of thebody and the base frame of the child seat a belt-guiding region in whicha fastening belt of the child seat is guided.
 17. The system accordingto claim 12, wherein the at least one fixing element of the bodycomprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of atleast one fixing element provided on an upper side of the body forengagement with a substantially horizontally extending edge of the baseframe of the child seat, at least one fixing element provided on one ofthe sides of the body for engagement with a substantially verticallyextending edge of the base frame of the child seat, and at least onefixing element provided on the upper side of the body for engagementwith a substantially horizontally extending edge of the base frame ofthe child seat and at least one fixing element provided on one of thesides of the body for engagement with a substantially verticallyextending edge of the base frame of the child seat.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the at least one fixing element hasprofiling operative to engage in an anchoring groove provided on thebase frame of the child seat.
 19. The system according to claim 17,wherein the at least one fixing element is operative to engage in abulbous projection provided on the base frame of the child seat.
 20. Thesystem according to claim 12, wherein said at least one fixing elementis constructed so as to at least partially surround the head region ofthe base frame.
 21. The system according to claim 12, wherein said atleast one fixing element provided on the body is operative to form areleasable connection to the base frame of the child seat so that themonitoring/entertainment system is removable from the base frame of thechild seat.
 22. The system according to claim 20, wherein said at leastone fixing element provided on the body is also arranged in such a waythat the monitoring/entertainment system can be fitted to a headrest ofa vehicle seat, wherein when the body is fixed to the headrest of thevehicle seat, the front side of the body and the at least one electronicassembly mounted in the body face towards the seat shell of the childseat when the seat shell of the child seat faces towards the directionof travel.
 23. The system according to claim 21, wherein on the bodythere are provided additional fixing means which are adjustable such asin respect of different types of vehicle seat headrest and/or types ofchild seat base support.
 24. A rotatable child seat for motor vehicles,comprising: a base frame configured to be secured to a vehicle seatusing a fastening belt; a seat shell coupled with the base frame androtatable relative to the base frame between a first position in whichthe seat shell faces towards a direction of travel and a second positionin which the seat shell faces towards a direction opposite to thedirection of travel; and a monitoring/entertainment system operative toperform a function selected from the group consisting of monitoring achild sitting in a child seat, entertaining a child sitting in a childseat, and monitoring and entertaining a child sitting in a child seat,said system comprising: at least one electronic assembly operative toperform a function selected from the group consisting of displayingimages, films or film sequences, recording images, films or filmsequences, and displaying and recording images, films or film sequences;and a body in which the at least one electronic assembly is mounted andheld, said body having at least one fixing element adapted to form aforce-based connection to a base frame of the child seat in order thusto fix the monitoring/entertainment system to the base frame of thechild seat, wherein when the body is fixed to the base frame of thechild seat, a front side of the body and the at least one electronicassembly mounted in the body face towards the seat shell of the childseat when the seat shell of the child seat faces towards the directionopposite to the direction of travel.
 25. The child seat according toclaim 24, wherein said electronic assembly includes a system selectedfrom the group consisting of a camera system, a DVD-playing system, avideo system, an MP4 player, direct internet access, a media-playingsystem, and a recording system.
 26. The child seat according to claim24, wherein the body is constructed in such a way so as to be mountableinterlockingly in or on the base frame of the child seat.
 27. The childseat according to claim 24, wherein the body is constructed in such away that when the body is fixed to the base frame of the child seat,there is formed between a rear side of the body and the base frame ofthe child seat a belt-guiding region in which a fastening belt of thechild seat is guided.
 28. The child seat according to claim 24, whereinthe at least one fixing element of the body comprises one or moreelements selected from the group consisting of at least one fixingelement provided on an upper side of the body for engagement with asubstantially horizontally extending edge of the base frame of the childseat, at least one fixing element provided on one of the sides of thebody for engagement with a substantially vertically extending edge ofthe base frame of the child seat, and at least one fixing elementprovided on the upper side of the body for engagement with asubstantially horizontally extending edge of the base frame of the childseat and at least one fixing element provided on one of the sides of thebody for engagement with a substantially vertically extending edge ofthe base frame of the child seat.
 29. The child seat according to claim24, wherein said at least one fixing element provided on the body isoperative to form a releasable connection to the base frame of the childseat so that the monitoring/entertainment system is removable from thebase frame of the child seat.
 30. The child seat according to claim 29,wherein said at least one fixing element provided on the body is alsoarranged in such a way that the monitoring/entertainment system can befitted to a headrest of a vehicle seat, wherein when the body is fixedto the headrest of the vehicle seat, the front side of the body and theat least one electronic assembly mounted in the body face towards theseat shell of the child seat when the seat shell of the child seat facestowards the direction of travel.
 31. The child seat according to claim29, wherein on the body there are provided additional fixing means whichare adjustable such as in respect of different types of vehicle seatheadrest and/or types of child seat base support.